Scott Ratliff Announces Retirement from Professional Lacrosse

Scott Ratliff, the long-stick midfielder who never missed a game in his 10-year professional lacrosse career, announced his retirement on Friday. Ratliff won the 2012 NCAA championship with Loyola.

He played in 122 straight pro games, making seven All-Star Games and scoring 105 career points — second all-time by a long pole — in the process. Ratliff, considered by his peers as thoughtful as he is competitive, received major recognition during his career as winner of the 2017 Real Man of the MLL Award, the 2018 Dave Huntley Man of the Year Award and the 2019 Welles Crowther Humanitarian Award.

Ratliff was drafted by the Boston Cannons in 2013 and played three seasons for Boston before joining the Atlanta Blaze for another three seasons. He then joined the Premier Lacrosse League as a member of the Archers, and he has been a cornerstone of the team since.

The Atlanta, Georgia, native largely redefined the long-stick midfielder position with his offensive capabilities. A player who thrived in transition, Ratliff would often kickstart it himself — evidenced by his 483 career ground balls, which ranks 10th all time.

His peers took to social media Friday to congratulate him on his career.

Congrats to Scott Ratliff on a tremendous career. A fierce competitor & weapon on all parts of the field. A fantastic motivator & person off of it. #Legend

— Greg Gurenlian (@GregBeast32) January 13, 2023

Congrats, @Srat2! Remember our first time playing against each other down in FL when you were still in college. Wildly skilled, game changer on both sides of the ball, and most importantly, always has a chip on your shoulder. Congrats again on an incredible brotha! pic.twitter.com/OmJqVfOu8T

— Kyle M. Harrison (@KyleHarrison18) January 13, 2023

when i first met young @Srat2 he was a rookie w the @PLLCannons. i loved competing w him in practice. what i learned about rat was that when we met again on the field, this time opposite sides, it was just like we were in practice again. compete in practice like you do in a game. pic.twitter.com/FvXBXKS2PI

— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) January 13, 2023